ECG leadwire system with noise suppression and related methods

ABSTRACT

A noise-suppressing electrocardiograph (ECG) adapter having a first end, a second end, and a noise-suppression element is presented, together with an ECG noise-suppressing system and related methods. In an embodiment, the noise-suppressing ECG adapter includes a housing having at least one first connector disposed at a first end of the housing adapted to electrically couple with an ECG lead set, and at least one second connector adapted for coupling to an input of an ECG device. The adapter includes a noise suppression element. The noise suppression element includes a ferromagnetic element having an opening defined therein. In an embodiment the noise suppression element is internal to the adapter. In another embodiment, the noise suppression element is tethered externally to the adapter and configured to clamp around at least a portion of an ECG leadwire.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a DIVISIONAL application under 35 U.S.C. §121 of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/249,450 (filed Sep. 20, 2011), which isincorporated here by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to medical equipment. In particular, thepresent disclosure relates to an electrocardiograph (ECG) leadwiresystem having improved noise reduction characteristics that includes anECG lead set, an adapter system, an extension cable, a noise reductionelement, and methods for coupling the ECG lead sets with the adapter.

BACKGROUND

ECG lead systems are used to obtain biopotential signals containinginformation indicative of the electrical activity associated with theheart and pulmonary system. To obtain biopotential signals, ECGelectrodes are applied to the skin of a patient in various locations andcoupled to an ECG device, e.g., an “ECG monitor” or “ECG telemetry.”Placement of the electrodes is dependent on the information sought bythe clinician.

The placement of the ECG electrodes on the patient has been establishedby medical protocols. The most common protocols require the placement ofthe electrodes in a three-lead, a five-lead, or a twelve-leadconfiguration. A three-lead configuration requires the placement ofthree electrodes; one electrode adjacent each clavicle bone (RA, LA) onthe upper chest and a third electrode adjacent the patient's lower leftabdomen (LL). A five-lead configuration requires the placement of thethree electrodes in the three-lead configuration with the addition of afourth electrode adjacent the sternum (Va) and a fifth electrode on thepatient's lower right abdomen (RL). A twelve-lead configuration requiresthe placement of ten electrodes on the patient's body. Four electrodes,which represent the patient's limbs, include the left arm electrode (LAlead), the right arm electrode (RA lead), the left leg electrode (LLlead), and the right leg electrode (RL lead). Six chest electrodes(V1-V6 leads) are placed on the patient's chest at various locationsnear the heart. Three standard limb leads are constructed frommeasurements between the right arm and left arm (Lead I), the right armand the left leg (Lead II) and the left arm to left leg (Lead III).Other conventional lead configurations include a 14 leads system thatincorporated additional leads located on a back surface.

An ECG lead set typically includes an array of three, five, or twelveleads as determined by the intended clinical protocol. Each individuallead wire includes, at a patient end thereof (e.g., distal end), an ECGlead wire connector configured to operably couple the lead wire to anelectrode pad affixed to the body of a patient. At the opposite (e.g.,proximal) end, the individual lead wires are gathered into a commoncoupler that is configured to operably couple the array of lead wires toan ECG device. Leads sets are typically provided with a generous lengthof lead wire sufficient to reach from the patient to the ECG device. Insome instances, however, the lead wire may fall short, in which case alead wire extension cable having appropriate distal and proximalcouplers may be employed. In some instances, the lead wire coupler of anECG lead set and/or ECG lead extension may be incompatible with anavailable ECG device, in which case an ECG adapter may be employed thatfacilitates operable coupling of the otherwise-incompatible physicaland/or electrical characteristics of the disparate couplers.

Radio frequency interference (RFI), sometime referred to aselectromagnetic interference (EMI), is a disturbance that affects anelectrical circuit due to either electromagnetic induction orelectromagnetic radiation emitted from an external source. Thedisturbance may interrupt, obstruct, or otherwise degrade or limit theeffective performance of a circuit. Biopotential signals are generallyvery low-level signals, and a typical ECG device has a very high inputimpedance. As a result, biopotential signals may be susceptible to RFI,particularly from devices that may be in use concurrently in a clinicalenvironment, e.g., an electrosurgical instrument, or a microwaveablation unit. RFI may be exacerbated when an ECG lead wire extensioncable is used.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a noise-suppressing ECG adapter.In some embodiments the disclosed adapter includes a housing having afirst end and a second end, and at least one first connector disposed atthe first end of the housing. The at least one first connector isadapted for operably coupling to a proximal end of an ECG lead set. Thedisclosed adapter includes at least one second connector disposed at thesecond end of the housing that is adapted for coupling to an input of anECG device. A noise suppression element is disposed within the housing,and includes one of a ferromagnetic element and an electromagnet havingan opening defined therein. A least one conductor operably couples thefirst connector and the second connector, and passes through the openingdefined in the ferromagnetic element. The noise suppression element ofthe adapter may include a low pass filter, a high pass filter, a notchfilter, or a nyquist filter. In some embodiments, a connector includes asix-pin configuration. In some embodiments, the six-pin configurationcomprises five signal pins and one ground pin. In some embodiments, aconnector includes one signal pin and one ground pin.

In some embodiments, the ferromagnetic element includes a shape selectedfrom the group consisting of a toroid and an open cylinder. Theferromagnetic element may be formed from material selected from thegroup consisting of ferrite and laminated iron. At least one conductormay pass through the opening of the ferromagnetic element in a pluralityof windings.

Also disclosed is a noise-suppressing ECG system. In some embodiments,the disclosed system includes a noise-suppressing ECG adapter,comprising a housing having a first end and a second end, at least onefirst connector disposed at the first end of the housing, the at leastone first connector adapted for operably coupling to proximal end of ECGlead set. The adapter includes at least one second connector disposed atthe second end of the housing adapted for coupling to an input of an ECGdevice. The adapter includes a noise suppression element disposed withinthe housing, the noise suppression element including a ferromagneticelement having an opening defined therein, and at least one conductoroperably coupling the first connector and the second connector andpassing through the opening of the ferromagnetic element. The systemincludes an ECG device adapted to operably couple to the at least onesecond connector of the noise-suppressing ECG adapter.

In some embodiments, the disclosed noise-suppressing ECG system includesan ECG lead set including a plurality of lead wires at a distal endthereof that are configured to operably couple to a plurality of ECGpads, and at least one ECG connector disposed at a proximal end of ECGleadwire set. The noise-suppressing ECG system, in some embodiments,includes a noise suppression element that includes a low pass filter, ahigh pass filter, a notch filter and a nyquist filter.

In some embodiments, the disclosed noise-suppressing ECG system includesan ECG adapter having a connector having a six-pin configuration. Thesix-pin configuration may include five signal pins and one ground pin.Other embodiments may include a connector that contains 12 pins with 2separate grounds pins. Still other examples may utilize shieldedleadwires that use two pins for each contact, one for signal and one forshield.

In some embodiments, the disclosed noise-suppressing ECG system includesan ECG adapter having a connector that includes one signal pin and oneground pin.

In some embodiments, the disclosed noise-suppressing ECG system includesan ECG adapter having a ferromagnetic element that includes a shapeselected from the group consisting of a toroid and an open cylinder.

In some embodiments, the disclosed noise-suppressing ECG system includesan ECG adapter wherein the at least one conductor passes through theopening of the ferromagnetic element in a plurality of windings. Inanother embodiment, electromagnets could be actuated as part of theinterface to the ECG monitor so that the magnetic field used toattenuate the electromagnetic interference would only be present whenthe ECG system was in use.

In some embodiments, the disclosed noise-suppressing ECG system includesan ECG adapter wherein the ferromagnetic element is formed from materialselected from the group consisting of ferrite and laminated iron.

Also disclosed is a method of suppressing noise in an ECG system. Insome embodiments, the disclosed method includes providing an ECG adapterincluding an ECG leadwire connector, an ECG device connector, and anoise suppression element. The method includes operably coupling the ECGdevice connector to an ECG device, and operably coupling an ECG leadwireset to the ECG leadwire connector.

In some embodiments, the disclosed method of suppressing noise in an ECGsystem includes positioning the noise suppression element around atleast a portion of the ECG leadwire set. In some embodiments, thedisclosed method of suppressing noise in an ECG system includes apositioning step that further includes closing two semicylindricalhalves of a ferromagnetic collar around at least a portion of the ECGleadwire set.

Other advantages, novel features, and objects of the present disclosurewill become apparent from the following detailed description of thepresent disclosure when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, which are schematic and are not intended to be drawn to scale.For purposes of clarity, not every component is labeled in every figure,nor is every component of each embodiment of the present disclosureshown where illustration is not necessary to allow those of ordinaryskill in the art to understand the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the subject instrument are described herein withreference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a noise suppressingadapter in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a schematic view of an embodiment of a noise suppressingcollar annexed to an adapter;

FIG. 2B is a schematic view of an embodiment of the noise suppressingcollar of FIG. 2A operatively coupled to a set of leadwires inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a schematic view of another embodiment of a noise suppressingcollar in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B is a schematic view of a variation of the FIG. 3A embodiment ofa noise suppressing collar in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the FIG. 3A embodiment of a noisesuppressing collar operatively coupled to a set of leadwires inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is a view of still another embodiment of a noise suppressingadapter in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 5B is a circuit diagram of the FIG. 5A embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is a view of yet another embodiment of a noise suppressingadapter in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Particular embodiments of the present disclosure are describedhereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, it isto be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples ofthe disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms. The terminologyused herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodimentsonly, and is not intended to be limiting. Well-known and/or repetitivefunctions and constructions are not described in detail to avoidobscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary or redundant detail.Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed hereinare not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for theclaims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the artto variously employ the present disclosure in virtually anyappropriately detailed structure. As used herein, and as is traditional,the term “distal” refers to the portion which is furthest from theuser/clinician and the term “proximal” refers to the portion that isclosest to the user/clinician. In addition, terms such as “above,”“below,” “forward,” “rearward,” etc. refer to the orientation of thefigures or the direction of components and are simply used forconvenience of description. It is to be understood that embodiments inaccordance with the present disclosure may be practiced in anyorientation without limitation. In this description, as well as in thedrawings, like-referenced numbers represent elements which may performthe same, similar, or equivalent functions. References to connectorgender presented herein are for illustrative purposes only, andembodiments are envisioned wherein the various components described canbe any of mate, female, hermaphroditic, or sexless gender. Likewise,references to connector types are illustrative in nature, and otherconnector types, shapes and configurations are contemplated within thescope of the present disclosure.

With reference to FIG. 1, an ECG monitoring system 10 having a noisesuppressing ECG adapter 20 is shown. According to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the system 10 enables an end user to use a singleECG leadwire set 30 in association with one or more disparate ECGdevices 11, e.g., an ECG monitoring device and/or an ECG telemetrydevice, as desired. ECG adapter 20 includes an adapter housing 21 havinga first end 22 and a second end 24. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,first end 22 includes a pin configuration having a six-pin arrangementthat is adapted to operably couple with a corresponding, mating six-pinconnector 34 disposed at a proximal end of ECG leadwire set 130 havingone or more ECG electrode connectors 32 adapted to operatively couple toan ECG electrode pad affixed to a patient. ECG adapter second end 24includes a pin configuration adapted to mate with a correspondingconnector provided by ECG device 11.

Noise suppression element may be formed from any material havingsuitable electromagnetic, coercivity, and permeability properties,including without limitation, ferrite, laminated iron, and the like. Inone embodiment, the noise suppression element is one of a ferromagneticelement and an electromagnet. An electromagnet noise suppression elementmay draw power from a monitor to which it is connected. Anelectromagnetic noise suppression element may be actuated as part of aninterface to an ECG monitor so that the magnetic field used to attenuatethe electromagnetic interference would only be present when the ECGsystem was in use.

The noise suppression element may include a filter such as a low pasfilter, a high pass filter, a notch filter, and a nyquist filter. Thepassive low pass filter exhibits high impedance at high frequenciestypically associated with RFI, which, in turn, attenuates or suppressesRFI within the one or more leadwires 134 and/or high-impedance inputcircuit of the ECG device.

The pin configurations of first end 22 and/or second end 24 may varydepending on the desired application, the intended ECG device(s) 110 tobe used, and the specific lead set or lead sets to be used. For example,and without limitation, pin configuration of first end 22 may includeonly a single pin used in an unshielded configuration of a singleelectrode lead set. In another non-limiting example, the pinconfiguration of second end 24 of ECG connector 20 may include afive-pin male socket connector. In this example, each plug includes apair of contacts, wherein one plug corresponds to one ECG lead and thecorresponding plug corresponds to a ground or shield lead, such asspecified by ANSI/AAMI EC53 for shielded leadwire to trunk cableinterconnections. The second end 24 of ECG connector 20 may be referredto as monitor plugs. The second end or monitor plugs 24 are configuredfor coupling to the lead set input connector of ECG device 11.

ECG adapter 20 includes a tether boss 23 that enables one or moretethers, e.g., an additional noise suppressor tether (not shown) and/ora placard tether (not shown), to be affixed thereto. As shown, tetherboss 23 includes a u-shaped protuberance having an opening definedtherein that extends from an exterior surface of ECG connector 20,however, other tether boss arrangement are contemplated, such as, andwithout limitation, to a recess with a transverse pin arrangement. Aplacard annexed to connector 20 may include an inscription conveyingoperating instructions, e.g., “STOP-Do Not Discard-Reusable” and thelike.

Turning to FIGS. 2A and 2B, ECG adapter 120 includes a noise suppressorcollar 150 that is annexed thereto by noise suppressor tether 155. Inone embodiment, adapter 120 does not comprise a noise suppressioncomponent within its housing, In one embodiment, the noise suppressionelement is one of a ferromagnetic element and an electromagnet. Anelectromagnet noise suppression element may draw power from a monitor towhich it is connected. An electromagnetic noise suppression element maybe actuated as part of an interface to an ECG monitor so that themagnetic field used to attenuate the electromagnetic interference wouldonly be present when the ECG system was in use.

In another embodiment, adapter 120 may be a noise suppression adaptercomprising a noise suppression component within its housing. The noisesuppression element in the adapter may, but need not, be of a similartype to that used in the noise suppression collar. For example, thenoise suppression element in the adapter may be one of a ferromagneticelement and an electromagnet, while the noise suppression collar may bethe other of the ferromagnetic element and the electromagnet.Alternatively, the noise suppression adapter and the noise suppressioncollar may comprise both a ferromagnetic element or both comprise anelectromagnet.

In one embodiment, the noise suppression adapter may comprise a firstfilter and the noise suppression collar may comprise a second filter,which may, but need not, be the same type of filter as the first filter.For example, the noise suppression adapter may comprise one of a lowpass filter, a high pass filter, a notch filter, and a nyquist filter,while the noise suppression collar may comprise a different one of a lowpass filter, a high pass filter, a notch filter, and a nyquist filter.

Noise suppressor collar may 150 include a tether boss 153 that isadapted to enable noise suppressor tether 155 to be affixed to collar150. Noise suppressor collar 150 is selectively configurable between anopen configuration as illustrated in FIG. 2A, and a closed configurationas illustrated in FIG. 2B. When configured in a closed configuration,noise suppressor collar 150 has a generally open cylindrical or tubular(e.g., pipe-like or elongate toroid) shape having an inner diameter “D”that is dimensioned to enable one or more ECG leadwires 134 to passtherethrough. In this embodiment, it is believed that noise suppressorcollar 150 forms a common mode choke that suppresses RFI induced bystray electromagnetic fields propagating upon the one or more ECGleadwires 134.

Noise suppressor collar 150 may be formed from any material havingsuitable electromagnetic, coercivity, and permeability properties,including without limitation, ferrite, laminated iron, and the like. Thenoise suppressor collar may include a filter, such as, a low passfilter, a high pass filter, a notch filter, and a nyquist filter. It isbelieved that this composition, e.g., ferrite, in cooperation with theopen cylindrical or tubular shape of noise suppressor collar 150, formsa passive low-pass filter. The passive low pass filter exhibits highimpedance at high frequencies typically associated with RFI, which, inturn, attenuates or suppresses RFI within the one or more leadwires 134and/or high-impedance input circuit of the ECG device.

In an exemplary embodiment, noise suppressor collar 150 is formed fromtwo generally semi-cylindrical halves consisting of a collar bottomportion 152 and a collar top portion 154 that are joined along a commonedge by a hinge 158. In various embodiments, hinge 158 may include aliving hinge, a piano hinge, or any suitable hinge arrangement. Collartop portion 154 includes a clasp 156 that is configured to engage acorresponding clasp saddle (not explicitly shown) provided by collarbottom portion 152 to join collar bottom portion 152 and collar topportion 154 in the closed configuration shown in FIG. 2. Noisesuppressor collar 150 may additionally or optionally include a jacket157, 159 covering at least a part of a surface of collar bottom portion152 and a collar top portion 154. Jacket 157, 159 may be formed from anysuitable material, such as a polymeric material including withoutlimitation high density polyethylene, polyurethane, and acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene. In an embodiment, jacket 157, 159, and hinge 158 maybe integrally formed, e.g., from polypropylene. In this embodiment hinge158 may be in the form of a living hinge.

During use, a clinician may couple connector 134 of ECG leadwire set 130with first end 122 of ECG adapter 120. A clinician may separate the twoportions 152, 154 of noise suppressor collar 150, e.g., move collarbottom portion 152 and collar top portion 154 to the open configurationas illustrated in FIG. 1. One or more leadwires 134 are positionedbetween the inner portions of collar bottom portion 152 and collar topportion 154, and the collar bottom portion 152 and collar top portion154 are moved to the closed configuration as illustrated in FIG. 2. Thesecond end 124 of ECG adapter 120 is mated to an ECG device 110. One ormore ECG pads are affixed to a patient, and the one or more ECGelectrode connectors 132 are affixed to the one or more ECG pads inaccordance with the appropriate protocol (e.g., a three-lead, afive-lead, or a twelve-lead configuration). The ECG device may beactivated to commence ECG monitoring, ECG telemetry, and the like.

Turning to FIGS. 3A and 4, another embodiment of an ECG adapter 220 inaccordance with the present disclosure includes a first end 222 that isoperatively coupled to a second end 224 by one or more ECG conductors226. First end 222 of ECG adapter 220 includes a first connector 223that is adapted to operably couple with a corresponding, mating six-pinconnector 234 disposed at a proximal end of ECG leadwire set 230 havingone or more ECG electrode connectors 232 adapted to operably couple toan ECG electrode pad affixed to a patient. ECG adapter 220 second end224 includes a second connector 225 adapted to mate with a correspondingconnector provided by ECG device 210.

ECG adapter 220 includes a noise suppressor collar 228 having agenerally open cylindrical or tubular shape (e.g., pipe-like or elongatetoroid) that is disposed about at least a portion of the one or more ECGconductors 226. Noise suppressor collar 228 includes an inner diameterthat is dimensioned to enable one or more ECG leadwires 226 to passtherethrough. Noise suppressor collar 228 may be formed from anymaterial having suitable electromagnetic, coercivity, and permeabilityproperties as previously described herein, such as, for example,ferrite, laminated iron, and the like. In embodiments, noise suppressorcollar 228 may be fixed to the one or more ECG leadwires 226 by anysuitable manner of attachment, including without limitation, by anadhesive, by encapsulation, by encasing in heat shrink tubing, and thelike. In some embodiments, such as that illustrated in FIG. 3B, an ECGadapter 220′ includes a noise suppressor collar 228′ that is integrallyformed with ECG leadwires 226′, a first end 222′, and/or a second end224′, wherein ECG adapter 220′ is encapsulated in a heat shrink tubing.

During use, as seen in FIG. 4, a clinician may couple connector 234 ofECG leadwire set 230 to first end 222 of ECG adapter 220, and second end224 of ECG adapter 220 is mated to an ECG device 210. One or more ECGpads are affixed to a patient, and the one or more ECG electrodeconnectors 232 are affixed to the one or more ECG pads in accordancewith the appropriate protocol (e.g., a three-lead, a five-lead, or atwelve-lead configuration). The ECG device may be activated to commenceECG monitoring, ECG telemetry, and the like.

Turning now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, still another embodiment of an ECG noisesuppression adapter 300 is presented in accordance with the presentdisclosure. ECG noise suppression adapter 300 includes a housing 320having a first end 322 and a second end 324. First end 322 includes oneor more input terminals 321 a-f that are adapted to operably couple withone or more corresponding, mating pins disposed at a proximal end of ECGleadwire set (not explicitly shown) to receive ECG signals therefrom.Second end 324 of housing 320 of ECG noise suppression adapter 300includes one or more second connectors 325 a-e adapted to mate with oneor more corresponding connectors provided by an ECG device. In thepresent embodiment, the one or more second connectors 325 a-e includes apair of contacts, wherein one plug corresponds to one ECG lead and thecorresponding plug corresponds to a ground or shield lead, such asspecified by ANSI/AAMI EC53 for shielded leadwire to trunk cableinterconnections, as described above.

ECG noise suppression adapter 300 includes a toroidal inductor core 328.Toroidal inductor core 328 may be formed from any material havingsuitable electromagnetic, coercivity, and permeability properties aspreviously described herein, such as, without limitation, ferrite and/orlaminated iron. One or more ECG conductors 326 are coupled, at a distalend thereof, to one or more input terminals 321 a-f. In the presentexample, six ECG conductors 326 are shown which correspond to inputterminals 321 a-e (e.g., ECG signals 1 through 5, respectively) and toinput terminal 321 f that is coupled to a ground (e.g., shield)conductor. The conductors 326 pass around the toroidal inductor core 328in a plurality of windings to form a low pass choke, or filter, thatexhibits high impedance at high frequencies typically associated withRFI as previously described. Conductors 326 may be wound around toroidalinductor core 328 at least one turn, and in some embodiments, may bewound at least five turns, at least ten turns, and/or at leasttwenty-five turns. In some embodiments, conductors 326 may be groupedand wound collectively, e.g., as a unified cable bundle wound togetheraround toroidal inductor core 328.

In some embodiments, conductors 326 may be individually wound aroundtoroidal inductor core 328. At a proximal end, conductors 326 areoperably coupled to corresponding second (output) connectors 325 a-e. Asshown in FIG. 5B, input pins 321 a-e are operably coupled to a signalportion of output connectors 325 a-e, respectively, and input pin 321 fis operably coupled in common to a ground portion of output connectors325 a-e. It is to be understood that the arrangement and correspondenceof inputs and outputs may differ in various and alternative embodiments,particularly where disparate ECG leadwire assemblies are to be coupledto ECG devices that provide differing or non-standard ECG inputconnectors, as will be appreciated by the skilled artisan.

Housing 320 may be formed from any suitable electrically non-conductivematerial, including without limitation polymeric material such aspolyurethane, polypropylene, polyethylene, acrylonitrile butadienestyrene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyacetal, polymethylmethacrylate and acetals. In embodiments, housing 320 may be fabricatedby injection molding and/or overmolding around the components of ECGnoise suppression adapter 300, e.g., input pins 321 a-f and outputconnectors 325 a-e, that mechanically supports and electricallyinsulates the electrically conductive element(s) therewithin, e.g.,toroidal inductor core 328, and/or conductors 326.

Turning now to FIG. 6, yet another embodiment of an ECG noisesuppression adapter 400 is presented. ECG noise suppression adapter 400includes a housing 420 having a first end 422 and a second end 424. ECGnoise suppression adapter 400 includes a noise suppression core 428 thathas a generally open cylindrical shape and is formed from any materialhaving suitable electromagnetic, coercivity, and permeability propertiesas previously described herein, such as, without limitation, ferriteand/or laminated iron. One or more ECG conductors 426 are coupled, at adistal end thereof, to one or more input terminals 421, and at aproximal end thereof, to one or more output connectors 425. In thepresent example, six ECG conductors 426 are shown wherein inputterminals 421 a-e corresponding to ECG signals 1 through 5,respectively, are operatively coupled by conductors 426 a-e to outputconnectors 425 a-e, respectively. Input terminal 421 f is coupled to aground (e.g., shield) conductor 426 f, which, in turn, is coupled tocommon ground terminals of output connectors 425 a-e. Conductors 426 a-fpass through noise suppression core 428 to form a low pass choke, orfilter, that exhibits high impedance at high frequencies typicallyassociated with RFI as previously described.

One or more input terminals 421 are adapted to operably couple with oneor more corresponding, mating pins disposed at a proximal end of ECGleadwire set (not explicitly shown) to receive ECG signals therefrom.Second end 424 includes one or more second connectors 425 adapted tomate with one or more corresponding connectors provided by an ECGdevice. At a proximal end, conductors 426 a-f are operably coupled tocorresponding second (output) connectors 425 a-e. It is to be understoodthat the arrangement and correspondence of inputs and outputs may differin various and alternative embodiments, particularly where disparate ECGleadwire assemblies are to be coupled to ECG devices that providediffering or non-standard ECG input connectors, as will be appreciatedby the skilled artisan.

Housing 420 may be formed from any suitable electrically non-conductivematerial, including without limitation polymeric material such aspolyurethane, polypropylene, polyethylene, or acrylonitrile butadienestyrene. In embodiments, housing 420 may be fabricated by injectionmolding and/or overmolding around the components of ECG noisesuppression adapter 400, e.g., input pins 421 a-f and output connectors425 a-e, to mechanically support and electrically insulate theelectrically conductive element(s) therewithin, e.g., noise suppressioncore 428, and/or conductors 426.

While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in thedrawings and/or discussed herein, it is not intended that the disclosurebe limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad inscope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise.Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting,but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilledin the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spiritof the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A noise-suppressing ECG adapter, comprising: ahousing having a first end and a second end; at least one firstconnector disposed at the first end of the housing, the at least onefirst connector adapted for operably coupling to a proximal end of anECG lead set; at least one second connector disposed at the second endof the housing, the at least one second connector adapted for couplingto an input of an ECG device; a noise suppression element disposedwithin the housing, the noise suppression element including one of aferromagnetic element and an electromagnet having an opening definedtherein; and at least one conductor operably coupling the firstconnector and the second connector and passing through the opening ofthe one of the ferromagnetic element and the electromagnet, wherein thenoise suppression element includes the ferromagnetic element formed frommaterial selected from the group consisting of ferrite and laminatediron.
 2. The noise-suppressing ECG adapter according to claim 1, whereinthe noise suppression element includes one of a low pass filter, a highpass filter, a notch filter, or a nyquist filter.
 3. Thenoise-suppressing ECG adapter according to claim 1, wherein the at leastone first connector includes a six-pin configuration.
 4. Thenoise-suppressing ECG adapter according to claim 3, wherein the six-pinconfiguration comprises five signal pins and one ground pin.
 5. Thenoise-suppressing ECG adapter according to claim 1, wherein the at leastone second connector includes one signal pin and one ground pin.
 6. Thenoise-suppressing ECG adapter according to claim 1, wherein the one ofthe ferromagnetic element and the electromagnet includes a shapeselected from the group consisting of a toroid and an open cylinder. 7.The noise-suppressing ECG adapter according to claim 1, wherein the atleast one conductor passes through the opening of the ferromagneticelement in a plurality of windings.
 8. A noise-suppressing ECG system,comprising: a noise-suppressing ECG adapter, comprising: a housinghaving a first end and a second end; at least one first connectordisposed at the first end of the housing, the at least one firstconnector adapted for operably coupling to proximal end of an ECG leadset; at least one second connector disposed at the second end of thehousing, the at least one second connector adapted for coupling to aninput of an ECG device; a noise suppression element disposed within thehousing, the noise suppression element including one of a ferromagneticelement and an electromagnet having an opening defined therein; and atleast one conductor operably coupling the first connector and the secondconnector and passing through the opening of the one of theferromagnetic element and the electromagnet; and an ECG device adaptedto operably couple to the at least one second connector of thenoise-suppressing ECG adapter, wherein the noise suppression elementincludes the ferromagnetic element formed from material selected fromthe group consisting of ferrite and laminated iron.
 9. Thenoise-suppressing ECG system according to claim 8, further comprisingthe ECG lead set including a plurality of lead wires at a distal end ofthe ECG lead set configured to operably couple to a plurality of ECGpads, and an ECG connector disposed at a proximal end of the ECG leadset.
 10. The noise-suppressing ECG system according to claim 8, whereinthe noise suppression element includes one of a low pass filter, a highpass filter, a notch filter and a nyquist filter.
 11. Thenoise-suppressing ECG system according to claim 8, wherein the at leastone first connector includes a six-pin configuration.
 12. Thenoise-suppressing ECG system according to claim 11 wherein the six-pinconfiguration comprises five signal pins and one ground pin.
 13. Thenoise-suppressing ECG system according to claim 8, wherein the at leastone second connector includes one signal pin and one ground pin.
 14. Thenoise-suppressing ECG system according to claim 8, wherein the one ofthe ferromagnetic element and the electromagnet includes a shapeselected from the group consisting of a toroid and an open cylinder. 15.The noise-suppressing ECG system according to claim 14, wherein the atleast one conductor passes through the opening of the ferromagneticelement in a plurality of windings.
 16. A removable radio frequencyinterference (RFI) noise-suppressing ECG adapter, comprising: a housinghaving a first end and a second end; at least one first connectordisposed at the first end of the housing, the at least one firstconnector adapted for operably coupling to a connector of an ECG leadset that is adapted to connect to an ECG monitoring device; at least onesecond connector disposed at the second end of the housing, the at leastone second connector adapted for coupling to an external input connectorof the ECG monitoring device that is adapted to connect to the connectorof the ECG lead set; an RFI noise suppression element disposed withinthe housing, the noise suppression element including one of aferromagnetic element and an electromagnet having an opening definedtherein; and at least one conductor operably coupling at least one pinof the first connector and at least one pin of the second connector andpassing through the opening of the one of the ferromagnetic element andthe electromagnet; wherein the ECG adapter is a removable adapterconfigured to be installed external to the ECG monitoring device andbetween the ECG monitoring device and the ECG lead set to suppress RFInoise, wherein the RFI noise suppression element includes theferromagnetic element formed from material selected from the groupconsisting of ferrite and laminated iron.